Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

ABSTRACT

A method of gaming comprising: conducting an initial play round comprising: selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; displaying at least one special symbol at a display position; determining a game outcome based on each at least one special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and conducting one or more further play rounds until an end condition is met, each further play round comprising: retaining the at least one special symbol from the previous play round; selecting a new display position at random for each retained special symbol; selecting and displaying a further set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; and determining a further game outcome based on the new display position of each special symbol and the further set of normal symbols.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No.AU2007900072, having an international filing date of Jan. 9, 2007,entitled “A Method of Gaming, a Gaming System and a Game Controller”,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system anda game controller.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Australian patent no. 755879 discloses a wild symbol which progressivelymoves to each of a predetermined number of display locations. The wildsymbol follows a predetermined path after a single spinning of thereels. Game outcomes are determined for each position on the path.

Australian patent no. 762889 discloses holding a special symbol in theposition where it occurs for at least one further game while at leastthe reel carrying the special symbol is re-spun.

It is also known from Australian patent no. 750731 to randomly locate awild symbol, in the case of Australian patent no. 750731 by a “sprite”designating a symbol to be treated as a special symbol.

While these games provide some enjoyment, there is a need for analternative gaming system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect there is disclosed a method of gaming comprising:

-   -   conducting an initial play round comprising:        -   selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at a            plurality of display positions;        -   displaying at least one special symbol at a display            position;        -   determining a game outcome based on each at least one            special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and    -   conducting one or more further play rounds until an end        condition is met, each further play round comprising:        -   retaining the at least one special symbol from the previous            play round;        -   selecting a new display position at random for each retained            special symbol;        -   selecting and displaying a further set of normal symbols at            a plurality of display positions; and        -   determining a further game outcome based on the new display            position of each special symbol and the further set of            normal symbols.

In an embodiment, the special symbol is displayed at a display positionin the initial play round in response to a start condition being met.

In an embodiment, a new display position is selected by selecting adisplacement at random from a set of possible displacements relative tothe previously displayed position of the special symbol.

In an embodiment, the set of possible displacements are one displayposition in each of the directions left, right, up and down.

In another embodiment, the set of possible displacements are comprisedof first displacement of two display positions in one of the directionsleft, right, up or down and a second displacement of one displayposition in a direction transverse to the first displacement. The firstand second displacements may be reversed in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the display positions define a rectangular displayarea and the left side is treated as contiguous with the right side andthe bottom is treated as contiguous with the top such that alldisplacements correspond to a display position within the display area.

In an embodiment, there are two types of special symbols each of whichis retained once they are displayed and each of which is movedindependently.

In one embodiment, a first type of special symbol is displayed duringthe initial play round and a second type of special symbol is displayedinitially during one of the further play rounds, both types of specialsymbol being retained and moved until an end condition is met.

In an embodiment, the end condition is that a predetermined number ofplay rounds have occurred.

In one embodiment, the end condition is that both types of specialsymbol are displayed in the same display position.

In an embodiment, the start condition is that the first set of normalsymbols contains a predetermined symbol combination.

In an embodiment, there is more than one end condition and the game endsif any of the end conditions is met.

In an embodiment, at each display position associated with a specialsymbol only the special symbol is displayed. Thus, for example, thefirst special symbol may replace one of the first set of normal symbols.In another embodiment, the special symbols are displayed in conjunctionwith the normal symbol for that display position.

Depending on the embodiment, the first display position of the specialsymbol may be predetermined, randomly selected from the displaypositions, randomly selected from a subset of the display positions, orselected by a player.

Depending on the embodiment, the initial play round may be a first roundof a feature game.

Depending on the embodiment, the initial play round may be conductedafter the start condition is met or, a play round during which thespecial symbol appears on the display is deemed an initial play round.

In an embodiment, the normal symbols are symbols in a spinning reelgame. In this embodiment, the display positions correspond to display ofa plurality of reels and display of at least one, and preferably aplurality of symbols, of each reel. For example, five reels with threesymbols per reel. In this embodiment, the symbols may be selected byselecting a stop position for each of the reels.

In a second aspect, there is disclosed a game controller comprising:

-   -   a display;    -   a symbol selector arranged to select a first set of normal        symbols to be displayed by a display at a plurality of display        positions and to display at least one special symbol at a        display position in a first play round and to subsequently        select a further set of normal symbols for each of one or more        further play round, further play rounds being conducted until an        end condition is met;    -   a special symbol controller arranged to:        -   retain each at least one special symbol in one or more            further play rounds until the second condition is met, and        -   select at random a new display position for each retained            special symbol in each further play round; and    -   an outcome generator arranged to determine game outcomes for        each of the play rounds based on the display position of each        special symbol and the set of normal symbols displayed in that        play round.

In an embodiment, the special symbol controller comprises a new positionselector arranged to select the new position of each special symbol.

In an embodiment, the new position selector is arranged to select a newposition by selecting at random a displacement from a set of possibledisplacements relative to the previous display position of the specialsymbol.

In a third aspect, there is disclosed gaming system comprising:

-   -   a display;    -   a symbol selector arranged to select a first set of normal        symbols to be displayed by the display at a plurality of display        positions and to display at least one special symbol at a        display position in a first play round and to subsequently        select a further set of normal symbols for each of one or more        further play round, further play rounds being conducted until an        end condition is met;    -   a special symbol controller arranged to:        -   retain each at least one special symbol in one or more            further play rounds until the second condition is met, and        -   select at random a new display position for each retained            special symbol in each further play round; and    -   an outcome generator arranged to determine game outcomes for        each of the play rounds based on the display position of each        special symbol and the set of normal symbols displayed in that        play round.

In a fourth aspect, there is disclosed computer readable program code,which when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement acomputer implemented method of gaming comprising:

-   -   conducting an initial play round comprising:        -   selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at a            plurality of display positions;        -   displaying at least one special symbol at a display            position;        -   determining a game outcome based on each at least one            special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and    -   conducting one or more further play rounds until an end        condition is met comprising:        -   retaining each at least one special symbol from the previous            play round;        -   selecting a new display position at random for each special            symbol;        -   selecting and displaying a further set of normal symbols at            a plurality of display positions; and        -   determining a further game outcome based on the new display            position of each special symbol and the further set of            normal symbols.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable mediumcomprising the above computer program code.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal comprising theabove computer program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to thefollowing drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing the structure of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematic of a networked gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system;

FIGS. 7A to 7G show exemplary displays of a first example;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the first example; and

FIGS. 9A to 9G show exemplary displays of a second example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system arranged toimplement a game where at least one special symbol is retained for oneor more play rounds but is displayed at a randomly determined newdisplay position after each play round. The gaming system can take anumber of different forms.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all ormost components required for implementing the game are present in aplayer operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components required for implementing the game are present in aplayer operable gaming machine and some of the components required forimplementing the game are located remotely relative to the gamingmachine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used whereinpart of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine andpart of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a“thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game isexecuted remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operablegaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaminginformation to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several corecomponents. At the broadest level, the core components are a playerinterface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplayer interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between aplayer and the gaming system and for this purpose includes theinput/output components required for the player to enter instructionsand play the game.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment toembodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable aplayer to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54 anda game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game playinstructions.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the playerinterface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the gameplay instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs gameplay outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions arestored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Hereinthe term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that canprocess game play instructions in accordance with game play rules andmay include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logicdevice or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. aPC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during gameplay. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. A reading device may also be providedfor the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as partof a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of acard, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of beingread by the reading device.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 arestored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with theprocessor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, acard and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/orcoin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additionalhardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardwaremay be omitted as required for the specific implementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connectedto the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operableinterface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on therequirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingmachines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gamingmachines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as boththe game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to carry out accounting functionsfor the Jackpot game. A loyalty system 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all ofthe game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingmachine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game serverwhich will process them and return game play outcomes to the gamingmachine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machinescould be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides aplayer interface operable using standard computer input and outputcomponents.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games as required by the terminals.

Gaming systems for implementing games that involve a display of spinningreels as part of the display of the outcome of a game have either avideo display or a mechanical display, these later machines most usuallybeing “stepper” machines which have a separate motor for each reel.

The game controllers of such gaming machines have a stop determiningfunction that determines the stop position for each reel. For example,if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols, the stopdetermining function might determine that the stop positions arepositions: 3, 13, 7, 9 and 17. The spinning of the reels is thencontrolled so that each symbol comes to a stop in the same row,typically a predetermined row in a “window” visible to the player on thedisplay that which corresponds to a player playing a single win line.When a reel stops, the symbols will be in one of a plurality of possiblesymbol positions for that reel relative to the stop position.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming systemsthat allow a player to select how many win lines of a plurality of winlines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one win line up tothe maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Each win line isformed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbol positionfrom each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position of each reel isassigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of thewin lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on thedisplay or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to eachwin line. Some of the win lines will be horizontal or diagonal lines butothers may be other combinations of symbols. Typically, the win lineswill be constituted by symbol positions in the visible window.

Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments,the player may obtain a win entitlement by select a number of reels toplay. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” byAristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel meansthat each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one ormore designated display positions. In other words, all symbol positionsof a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations withdesignated, displayed symbol positions of other reels.

In other embodiments a player may purchase access to particular paytables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins includingcherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums.

A game controller of an embodiment is shown in more detail in FIG. 6.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the game controller 60and/or individual modules 1010-1050 of the game controller can beimplemented by a processor executing appropriate program code stored inmemory 64. In other embodiments, some modules may be provided bydedicated circuits, for example.

The game controller incorporates a symbol selector 1010 that selectssymbols to appear on the display 54. Symbol selector 1010 includes aspecial symbol controller for controlling display of the special symbolduring subsequent play rounds once it has appeared. In the embodiment,the special symbol controller 1020 of symbol selector 1010 is configuredto determine based on a predetermined symbol combination occurring(specified by condition data 1042) that a special symbol should bedisplayed 54. In an alternative, the special symbol may be on one ormore of the reels and accordingly would be part of symbol dataspecifying the makeup of each reel. In this embodiment, the startcondition is that the special symbol appears on the display as a resultof the normal selection process of symbols by the symbol selector 1010under control of the random number generator 1050.

Once a special symbol either occurs or is displayed in response to astart condition being met, the special symbol is retained for one ormore further play rounds until an end condition, specified by conditiondata 1042, is met. During each subsequent play round, the special symbolis displayed in a new position by being moved at random under control ofthe new position selector 1025. In an embodiment, the new positionselector 1025 obtains a value from random number generator 1050 that isused to select a displacement from a set of displacements defined bydisplacement data 1046.

In some embodiments there may be more than one special symbol. In thiscase, the special symbol controller controls retainment and displacementof all special symbols.

Between each displacement of the special symbol (which will typically bea wild symbol that can substitute for all or some of the other symbols),a new set of normal symbols are obtained, for example by spinning thereels again. Other special symbols provide some form of additional playcharacteristic, for example a multiplier.

The outcome generator 1030 generates outcomes based on prize data 1045and game instructions 1044 after each play round.

The above gaming system will normally be used to implement the game as afeature game. During the feature game, a set of games are played,described herein as play rounds, in which when a special symbol appearsit is used to evaluate prizes and then the reels are spun and the symbolis retained in the window for use in the next game. The special symbolmoves to a randomly selected new location, typically by a displacementselected at random from the location from which it last appeared.

The game is intended to be of particular interest in a game where theorder of symbols is important in pay patterns.

As described above, the special symbol may be located on the reels andbecome active when it stops in the window. In this embodiment, there canbe more than one special symbol on the reel and thus the number ofspecial symbols can accumulate during the feature.

In another embodiment, the feature commences when a start condition ismet, for example based on a specific symbol combination occurring on thereels, a special symbol is placed on the reel in a display locationdefined by the rules. Additional special symbols may also be added basedon other factors defined in the rules of the game. The initial displaylocation may, for example, be predetermined, selected at random,selected at random from a subset of the available display positions, orselected by the player.

A special symbol may be displayed such that the symbol shown on the reelstrip underneath it is not visible (in embodiments where the specialsymbol is displayed independently of the reels). In an alternativeembodiment, the special symbol is located in a place in the window suchthat the symbol shown on the reel strip is also visible, for examplenext to the symbol or as a transparent overlay. In one example, thespecial symbol may be larger than normal symbols and “float” over adisplay position.

In a further alternative, the special symbol may only be visible inconjunction with the symbol underneath when it appears in combinationwith certain symbols, for example, a scatter symbol where it isadvantageous to keep both the wild and scatter symbols available forprize evaluations.

As described above, in the embodiment the special symbol is wild forsome or all symbols. However, in alternative embodiments the specialsymbol may take another function for example as a multiplier or may actas a multiplier if more than one special symbol appears in the samedisplay position. In a further alternative the special symbol may be aJackpot symbol.

Where the random selection of a new display position of the retainedspecial symbol is made by a displacement, this may be restricted to aset of possible displacements. For example, all displacements correspondto positions adjacent to the current position, or the displacementsdefine a “dance step” such as two positions up and one across, etc.Further, the displacements may be allowed to wrap around the reels bymoving adjacently up from a position from the top of the set of symbolsto the bottom of the reels and similarly from right to left or left toright.

The held special symbols can be displayed in a number of differentstyles, for example:

-   -   “walking”, “dancing”, “jumping” or “sliding” the symbol from one        position to the next prior to the reels spinning;    -   “walking”, “dancing”, “jumping” or “sliding” the symbol from one        position to the next as the reels are spinning;    -   “walking”, “dancing”, “jumping” or “sliding” the symbol from one        position to the next after the reels spin; or    -   visually disappearing as the reels are spun and then reappearing        as the reels stop spinning.

It is possible to have more than one special symbol appearing in thewindow at the same time. If more than one special symbol appears in thesame display position, the display position shows all of the specialsymbols. This can be visually depicted as the symbol changing to haveall symbols in a new graphic or flashing between the various symbols.

Depending on the embodiment, where more than one special symbol appearsin the same display position, the subsequent moves can be individualmoves for each symbol or, alternatively, the combined symbol can nowmove as one symbol.

It is also possible for a special symbol to replicate as it is moved,and for it to be moved in multiple directions. For instance, in oneembodiment, a special symbol of a Star can appear at Feature Game 1 andthen at Feature Game 2, the Star is moved while being replicated as onestar above the last position and one star below the last position.

The player's eligibility for the feature can be determined in accordancewith any one of a number of known rules including but not limited to:

-   -   being available to all players for all bets;    -   being available only for certain bet types; or    -   different levels of feature being available for different bets.        For example, standard bets may be entitled to one special symbol        and feature bets may be entitled to additional special symbols.

The feature can commence in accordance with any one of a number of knownrules including but not limited to:

-   -   when a special symbol, or a combination of symbols appears in        the window;    -   when a time elapses;    -   when a system event occurs;    -   when an underlying random event occurs, for example, in the        course of a game;    -   when a turnover has elapsed.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of theembodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could besupplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium,such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part ofmemory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from aserver).

EXAMPLE 1

A three by five spinning reel game (five reels 740 a-740 e with threepositions 750 a-750 c visible in the window for each reel) is beingplayed at 1 credit per line and five lines. The game pays prizes in aleft to right pattern only. Three scattered coin symbols appear on thereels and trigger a series of eight feature games.

During the feature games, the rules of the game define that the “Man”special symbol and the “Woman” special symbol each acquire the functionof substituting for other symbols. During the feature, once a Man orWoman special symbol appears, the special symbol will remain in thewindow for all remaining games in this feature sequence but willrandomly move location. The location of the displacement is defined asmoving up or down on the same reel, or moving left to right on the samerow.

Please note that in this example the adjacent move includes a “wrap”i.e. the meaning of the word “up” includes moving from the top line tothe bottom line on the same reel. Similarly, the word “down” includesmoving from the bottom line to the top line on the same reel. Similarlythe word “left” includes moving from reel one to reel five and “right”includes moving from reel five to reel one.

The displacement selector randomly selects to which position the specialsymbol is to move.

More than one “Man” and one “Woman” can appear and be retained in eachfeature sequence. The rules of the game define that if a Man and Womanoccupy the same position, the visual display will show the Man and Womandancing together and the prize will be multiplied by ten. Similarly iftwo “Man” or two “Woman” symbols occupy the same position.

In the first free game, neither a Man nor a Woman symbol appears on thereels. The symbols appearing on the reels are evaluated and prizes paid.

In the second free game, a Man symbol 710 appears on reel two 740 b inthe centre position 750 b. The symbols appearing in the window areevaluated for prizes according to the bet options placed by the playerand using the Man as a substitute as shown in FIG. 7A.

This outcome pays 3* Aces on the centre line (Man substitutes for theAce)

In the third free game, the Man 710 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel two or sideways onto reel one or reel three. The reels also spinand all other symbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 7B.

The outcome pays 3* Queen on the centre line (Man substitutes for Queen)

In the fourth free game, the Man 710 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel one or sideways onto reel five or reel two. The reels also spinand all other symbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 7C.

The outcome pays 4* jack on the fourth payline (top left hand corner tomiddle bottom, then up to top right hand corner. (Man substitutes forJack)

And 2*9 on top line (Man substitutes for 9)

In the fifth free game, the Man 710 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up (to thebottom position) or down on reel one or sideways onto reel five or reeltwo. The reels also spin and all other symbols are replaced. On thisoutcome, a Woman 720 symbol appears on reel four. The outcome is shownin FIG. 7D.

The outcome pays 3*9 on top line. (Man substitutes for 9)

And 3* dog on the centre line. The “Woman” does not complete a prizewinning combination.

In the sixth free game, the Man 710 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up (to thebottom position) or down on reel two or sideways onto reel one or reelthree. The Woman 720 can move up or down (to the top position on reelfour) or sideways onto reel three or five. The reels also spin and allother symbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 7E.

The outcome pays 5* Jacks on fifth payline. (Man and Woman bothsubstitute for Jack) fifth payline runs from reel one bottom position toreel three top position and down to bottom position on reel five.

In the seventh free game, the Man 710 remains available in the windowbut moves location. The displacement is random but can only move up (tothe bottom position) or down on reel three or sideways onto reel two orreel four. The Woman 720 can move up or down or sideways onto reel threeor five. The reels also spin and all other symbols are replaced. Theoutcome is shown in FIG. 7F

The outcome pays 4* Aces on bottom payline. (Man and Woman bothsubstitute for Ace).

In the eighth free game, the Man 710 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel three or sideways onto reel two or reel four. The Woman 720 canmove up or down or sideways onto reel three or five. The reels also spinand all other symbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 7G.

The outcome pays 3* Queens on fourth payline. (Woman substitutes forQueen).

The Man does not complete a winning combination.

Eight feature games are now complete, the end condition is met and thegame returns to normal play.

The process of Example 1 is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 8. Atstep 800, the reels are spun in a standard game. At step 805, it isdetermined whether there is a trigger (start condition) for the specialfeature. If no, the standard game continues, if yes, the feature game isstarted at step 810. At step 815, it is determined what the endcondition will in this case is the number of feature games that areavailable in this game. At step 820, the reels are spun. At step 825, itis determined whether there is a Man symbol on the reels, as in thisembodiment the Man symbol is one of the set of symbols available on atleast one reel. If the answer is yes, the position is noted if theanswer is no, it is determined 835 whether there is a Woman symbol onthe reels. If the answer is yes, the position is noted at step 840 andprizes are evaluated at step 845. If there are any Man or Woman symbols,these are used as substitutes otherwise the prize evaluation occurs inaccordance with the other normal rules. At step 850, the number offeature games that are available is decremented and at step 855 it isdetermined whether the number of feature games available has reachedzero 855. If the answer is no, the process proceeds to step 860, and thereels are spun, at steps 865 and 870, new positions are determined forthe man and woman if this is applicable. The process then continues fromstep 825 until it is determined at step 855 that the number of featuregames has reached zero. That is, that the end condition is met.

EXAMPLE 2

This is another five reel 940 a-940 e by three row 950 a-950 c gamewhere the rules are the same as Example 1 but a Man 910 and Woman 920symbol are placed on the display at the start of the game.

In the first free game, a Man symbol 910 is placed on reel two, centreposition and a Woman symbol 920 is placed on the reel four, centreposition. The symbols overlay other symbols such that the underlyingsymbols, except for scatters, cannot be seen and cannot be used toevaluate prizes. The symbols appearing on the reels are evaluated andprizes paid. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9A.

The prizes paid are

4* Aces on the centre line (Man and Woman substitute for Ace)2*9 on the fifth payline (Man substitutes for 9)

In the second free game, the Man 910 symbol randomly relocates. Therelocation can be above or below the centre position on reel two or tothe centre position on reel one or reel three. The displacement of theWoman 920 symbol is independent of the displacement of the Man 910. TheWoman can move up or down on reel four or sideways to reels three orfive on the centre position. The symbols appearing in the window areevaluated for prizes using the Man and Woman as a substitute.

This outcome pays:

3* Aces on the centre line (Man substitutes for the Ace)

In the third free game, the Man 910 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel one or sideways onto reel five or reel two. Similarly for therelocation of the Woman 920. The reels also spin and all other symbolsare replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9B.

The outcome pays:

3* Queen on the centre line (Man substitutes for Queen)3*9 on fifth payline (Man and woman substitute for 9)

In the fourth free game, the Man 910 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel two or sideways onto reel one or reel three. Similarly, theWoman 920 symbol must relocate. The reels also spin and all othersymbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9D.

Note that in this outcome, the Man and Woman symbols are now in the sameposition.

The outcome pays on top line 2*9 prize time ten. (Man and woman at thesame location pay ten times the prize and substitutes for 9)

In the fifth free game, the Man 910 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up (to thebottom position) or down on reel two or sideways onto reel three or reelone. Similarly the Woman 920 relocates. The reels also spin and allother symbols are replaced. The outcome is show in FIG. 9E.

The outcome pays:

3*9 on top line. (Man substitutes for 9)3* dog on the centre line. (Woman substitutes for dog)3* Queen on fifth payline (Man and Woman substitute for Queen)2*9 on fourth payline (Woman substitutes for 9)

In the sixth free game, the Man 910 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up (to thebottom position) or down on reel three or sideways onto reel two or reelfour. Similarly the Woman 920 relocates. The reels also spin and allother symbols are replaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9F.

The outcome pays:

3* Jacks on bottom payline. (Man and Woman both substitute for Jack)

In the seventh free game, the Man 910 remains available in the windowbut moves location. The displacement is random but can only move up ordown on reel three or sideways onto reel two or reel four. Similarly,the Woman 920 relocates. The reels also spin and all other symbols arereplaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9G.

The outcome pays:

4* Aces on bottom payline. (Man and Woman both substitute for Ace).2*9 on fifth payline

In the eighth free game, the Man 910 remains available in the window butmoves location. The displacement is random but can only move up or downon reel two or sideways onto reel one or reel three. Similarly, theWoman 920 relocates. The reels also spin and all other symbols arereplaced. The outcome is shown in FIG. 9H.

The outcome pays:

3* Queens on fifth payline. (Man substitutes for Queen).

Eight feature games are now complete and the game returns to normalplay.

In one variation of Example 2, the Man and Woman symbols may movetogether after they appear in the same display position (see FIG. 9D).When they move together this may be different to the initial way theymoved, for example, they may move in a two by one or one by two displayposition “dance step”.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various variations maybe made to the invention without departing from the scope of theinvention described herein.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

1. A method of gaming comprising: conducting an initial play roundcomprising: selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at aplurality of display positions; displaying at least one special symbolat a display position; determining a game outcome based on each at leastone special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and conductingone or more further play rounds until an end condition is met, eachfurther play round comprising: retaining the at least one special symbolfrom the previous play round; selecting a new display position at randomfor each retained special symbol; selecting and displaying a further setof normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; and determining afurther game outcome based on the new display position of each specialsymbol and the further set of normal symbols.
 2. A method as claimed inclaim 1 comprising displaying the special symbol in the initial playround in response to a start condition being met.
 3. A method as claimedin claim 1 comprising selecting a new display position by selecting adisplacement at random from a set of possible displacements relative tothe previously displayed position of the special symbol.
 4. A method asclaimed in claim 3, wherein the set of possible displacements are onedisplay position in each of the directions left, right, up and down. 5.A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the set of possibledisplacements are comprised of first displacement of two displaypositions in one of the directions left, right, up or down and a seconddisplacement of one display position in a direction transverse to thefirst displacement. The first and second displacements may be reversedin some embodiments.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedisplay positions define a rectangular display area and the left side istreated as contiguous with the right side and the bottom is treated ascontiguous with the top such that all displacements correspond to adisplay position within the display area.
 7. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein there are two types of special symbols each of which isretained once they are displayed and each of which is movedindependently.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first typeof special symbol is displayed during the initial play round and asecond type of special symbol is displayed initially during one of thefurther play rounds, both types of special symbol being retained andmoved until an end condition is met.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 7,wherein the end condition is that both types of special symbol aredisplayed in the same display position.
 10. A method as claimed in claim1, the end condition is that a predetermined number of play rounds haveoccurred.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is more thanone end condition and the game ends if any of the end conditions is met.12. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the start condition is thatthe first set of normal symbols contains a predetermined symbolcombination.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at each displayposition associated with a special symbol only the special symbol isdisplayed
 14. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at each displayposition associated with a special symbol the special symbol isdisplayed in conjunction with the normal symbol for that displayposition.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initialdisplay position of the special symbol is predetermined, randomlyselected from the display positions, randomly selected from a subset ofthe display positions, or selected by a player.
 16. A method as claimedin claim 1, wherein the initial play round is a first round of a featuregame.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the normal symbols aresymbols in a spinning reel game and the display positions correspond todisplay of a plurality of reels and display a plurality of symbols ofeach reel
 18. A game controller comprising: a symbol selector arrangedto select a first set of normal symbols to be displayed by a display ata plurality of display positions and to display at least one specialsymbol at a display position in a first play round and to subsequentlyselect a further set of normal symbols for each of one or more furtherplay round, further play rounds being conducted until an end conditionis met; a special symbol controller arranged to: retain each at leastone special symbol in one or more further play rounds until the secondcondition is met, and select at random a new display position for eachretained special symbol in each further play round; and an outcomegenerator arranged to determine game outcomes for each of the playrounds based on the display position of each special symbol and the setof normal symbols displayed in that play round.
 19. A game controller asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the special symbol controller comprises anew position selector arranged to select the new position of eachspecial symbol.
 20. A game controller as claimed in claim 19, whereinthe new position selector is arranged to select a new position byselecting at random a displacement from a set of possible displacementsrelative to the previous display position of the special symbol.
 21. Agame controller as claimed in claim 20, wherein the set of possibledisplacements are one display position in each of the directions left,right, up and down.
 22. A game controller as claimed in claim 20,wherein the set of possible displacements are comprised of firstdisplacement of two display positions in one of the directions left,right, up or down and a second displacement of one display position in adirection transverse to the first displacement. The first and seconddisplacements may be reversed in some embodiments.
 23. A game controlleras claimed in claim 18, wherein the display positions define arectangular display area and the left side is treated as contiguous withthe right side and the bottom is treated as contiguous with the top suchthat all displacements correspond to a display position within thedisplay area.
 24. A game controller as claimed in claim 18, whereinthere are two types of special symbols each of which is retained oncethey are displayed and each of which is moved independently.
 25. A gamecontroller as claimed in claim 24, wherein a first type of specialsymbol is displayed during the initial play round and a second type ofspecial symbol is displayed initially during one of the further playrounds, both types of special symbol being retained and moved until anend condition is met.
 26. A game controller as claimed in claim 24,wherein the end condition is that both types of special symbol aredisplayed in the same display position.
 27. A game controller as claimedin claim 18, the end condition is that a predetermined number of playrounds have occurred.
 28. A game controller as claimed in claim 18,wherein there is more than one end condition and the game ends if any ofthe end conditions is met.
 29. A game controller as claimed in claim 18,wherein at each display position associated with a special symbol onlythe special symbol is displayed
 30. A game controller as claimed inclaim 18, wherein at each display position associated with a specialsymbol the special symbol is displayed in conjunction with the normalsymbol for that display position.
 31. A game controller as claimed inclaim 18, wherein the initial display position of the special symbol ispredetermined, randomly selected from the display positions, randomlyselected from a subset of the display positions, or selected by aplayer.
 32. A game controller as claimed in claim 18, wherein theinitial play round is a first round of a feature game.
 33. A gamecontroller as claimed in claim 18, wherein the normal symbols aresymbols in a spinning reel game and the display positions correspond todisplay of a plurality of reels and display a plurality of symbols ofeach reel
 34. A gaming system comprising: a display; a symbol selectorarranged to select a first set of normal symbols to be displayed by thedisplay at a plurality of display positions and to display at least onespecial symbol at a display position in a first play round and tosubsequently select a further set of normal symbols for each of one ormore further play round, further play rounds being conducted until anend condition is met; a special symbol controller arranged to: retaineach at least one special symbol in one or more further play roundsuntil the second condition is met, and select at random a new displayposition for each retained special symbol in each further play round;and an outcome generator arranged to determine game outcomes for each ofthe play rounds based on the display position each special symbol andthe set of normal symbols displayed in that play round.
 35. Computerreadable program code, which when executed by a computer causes thecomputer to implement a computer implemented method of gamingcomprising: conducting an initial play round comprising: selecting anddisplaying a first set of normal symbols at a plurality of displaypositions; displaying at least one special symbol at a display position;determining a game outcome based on each at least one special symbol andthe first set of normal symbols, and conducting one or more further playrounds until an end condition is met comprising: retaining each at leastone special symbol from the previous play round; selecting a new displayposition at random for each special symbol; selecting and displaying afurther set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; anddetermining a further game outcome based on the new display position ofeach special symbol and the further set of normal symbols.
 36. Acomputer readable medium comprising the computer program code of claim35.